Fuel transfer system for cigarette lighters

ABSTRACT

The fuel reservoir of a cigarette lighter is indirectly connected to the wick chamber by a transfer mechanism which dispenses a controlled amount of fuel to the wick chamber even if the fuel reservoir is under greater pressure than is the surrounding atmosphere.

United States Patent inventor Barry L. Vaughan Lawrenceville, Ga.

Appl. No. 793,100

Filed Jan. 22, 1969 Patented May 25, 1971 Assignee Scripto, Inc. Atlanta, Ga.

FUEL TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR CIGARETTE LIGHTERS 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

0.8. CI 431/321, 222/453 Int. Cl F23d 3/18 Field of Search 431/321; 222/453 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,881,608 4/1959 Lockwood 3,199,747 8/1965 Erickson FOREIGN PATENTS 586,263 3/1947 Great Britain Primary Examiner-Edward J. Michael AttorneyNewton, Hopkins & Ormsby ABSTRACT: The fuel reservoir of a cigarette lighter is indirectly connected to the wick chamber by a transfer mechanism which dispenses a controlled amount of fuel to the wick chamber even if the fuel reservoir is under greater pressure than is the surrounding atmosphere.

PATENTEnuAvzslen 35 0599 x31 &1 76

34 P/Jl FIG. 4

INVEN'IOR HARRY L. VAUGHAN ATTORNEYS FUEL TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR CIGARETTE LIGHTERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cigarette lighters employing a valve for dispensing fuel from the fuel reservoir to the wick chamber are widely used and operate to allow the fuel to flow directly to the wick chamber when the valve is actuated. That is to say, when the valve is actuated, a direct interconnection between the fuel reservoir and wick chamber is effected.

Under some circumstances, the fuel reservoir, which is normally isolated from the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere except when the valve is actuated, may be subjected to a pressure higher than that of the surrounding atmosphere so that when the valve is actuated, flooding of the chamber.

may result. For example, such a condition may occur in connection with air travel wherein the airplane cabin, even though pressurized will be at a lower pressure than that existing on the ground. Consequently, the fuel reservoir may be under ground pressure so that if the valve is actuated in flight, flooding of the wick chamber is likely to occur.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention related to an improved form of cigarette lighter and, more particularly, to an improved form of fuel transfer system which positively precludes the disadvantage specified above and positively assures the dispensing of a controlled'amount of fuel to the wick chamber even if the fuel reservoir is under greater pressure than is the surrounding atmosphere. According to the present invention, the fuel reservoir and wick chamber are isolated from each other and are adapted to be indirectly connected by a transfer means which, in one position thereof, establishes communication between the fuel reservoir and a transfer chamber and, in another position thereof, establishes communication between such transfer chamber and the wick chamber. The transfer chamber is established in either one of the two specified communicating conditions but is never subjected to simultaneous connection to the fuel reservoir and wick chamber. Thus, there never is a direct connection between the fuel reservoir and the wick chamber and the amount of'fuel'delivered to the wick chamber is therefore in controlled 'amount irrespective of whether or not the fuel chamber is' at'.tlie same pressure than is the surrounding atmosphere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing a cigarette lighter employing the improved transfer mechanism according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the cigarette lighter inverted and ready to be actuated for fuel transfer;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the initiation of the transfer action; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 but showing the valve in fully depressed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. I, the cigarette lighter shown therein is constructed in general according to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,608, Apr. 14, 1959, and will be seen to include a transparent fuel reservoir 10, a center body 12, a metal cap 14 mounting the snap-type cover 16 and the windguard structure 18, and employing also the removable spark wheel assembly 20. The transparent portion defines a fuel reservoir chamber 22, the upper end of which is closed by the center body 12 and the center body is provided with a wick chamber 24 containing one end 26 of the wick and being substantially filled with conventional wick felt 28. The fuel reservoir 22 and the wick chamber 24 are separated from each other and are only indirectly connected by the transfer means indicated generally by the reference character 30.

The transfer means comprises a valve stem 32, having an enlarged head portion 34 for manual actuation, the stem 32 being joined to the head 34 in a portion 36 of intermediate diameter, substantially as is shown in FIG. 2, and the inner end of the valve stem is formed in the manner of an enlarged tubular portion or cup 38. The channel receiving the valve assembly-includes the transfer chamber portion 40 and, at its outer extremity, the portion 42 of enlarged diameter to define an annular sealing face 44 and being provided with a port 46 communicating with the chamber 24. The inner end of the channel is provided with a port 48 leading directly to the fuel reservoir chamber 22 and, as may best be seen in FIG. 4, the intersection of the inner end of the channel and the port 48 define annular sealing face 50.

The portion 38 of the valve stem carries a sealing sleeve 52 having an O-ring portion 54 which constantly seals against the surface of the channel portion 42 and prevents the escape of fuel from the lighter. The inner extremity of the sleeve 52 is formed as a sealing collar 56 whose face 58 is adapted to engage the sealing-face 44 and effect a seal thereat as will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out. The two portions 54 and 56 of the sleeve 52 are interconnected by a thin-wall sleeve section 60 for allowing of flexure of the sleeve 52 without distorting the portions 54 and 56 which might otherwise. tend to destroy their effectiveness, as hereinafter set forth..

A similar sleeve 62 is provided within the confines of the part 48, it being noted from FIGS. 1 and 2m particular that the port 48 is of such a widthto cause the sleeve 62 to be slightly compressed, as is evidenced by the bellying out of the thin-wall sleeve portion 64, thereby to maintain, normally, the sealing collar 66 of the sleeve 62 in sealed engagement with the face 50 so that the transfer chamber 68 is normally isolated from the fuel reservoir chamber 22. The cup like inner end portion 38 of the valve stem is snuggly received within the sleeve 62 and this portion of the valve stem forms a seat for one end of the compression spring 70 which serves to retain the vale stem normally-in the position which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the opposite end of the spring 70 seating againstthe center body 12, substantially as is shown.

In addition to the above construction, the valve stem'portion 32 is provided with spaced shoulder'members 74 and 76 which cooperate with the-sleeves 52 and 62 and assure proper operation of the device. Thus, from the initial position shown in FIG. 2, the lighter being inverted preparatory to fuel transfer from the fuel reservoir to the wick chamber the valve head 34 is manually depressed and, in the process, as is shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve 52 initially contacts the sealing face 44 of the transfer channel thus to block communication between the transfer chamber 68 and the wick chamber 24, whereafter further movement of the valve will cause the shoulder 76 to compress the sleeve 62 as is shown in FIG. 4 and allow fuel to flow into the transfer chamber 68 without direct communication between the fuel chamber and the wick chamber. That is to say, the transfer means is effective to establish indirect communication between the. fuel reservoir chamber 22 and the wick chamber 24. When the valve is released the sleeve 62 will contact the sealing face 50 and block communication between the fuel reservoir chamber 22 andthe transfer chamber 68 prior to unseating of the sleeve 52 from against the sealing face 44. Thus, the transfer chamber 68 is never in communication simultaneously with the wick chamber 24 and the fuel reservoir chamber 22 but is, instead, in communication with either one of themto the exclusion of the other, thereby efiectingthe aforementioned indirect interconnection between the fuel reservoir chamber 22 and the wick chamber 24 which allows the device to operate to dispense a controlled amount offuel to the wick chamber even if the fuel reservoin chamber 22is under greater pressurethan is the surrounding atmosphere.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While the presently illustrative embodiment of the invention is given for the purpose of I disclosure, numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A cigarette lighter comprising a body having a fuel reservoir and a wick chamber separated from said fuel reservoir, and a transfer means indirectly interconnecting said fuel reservoir with said wick chamber and constructed and arranged for dispensinga controlled amount of fuel to said wick chamber regardless of any pressure differential which may exist between said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber, said wick transfer means including a channel in said body having first and second ports communicating with said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber respectively at spaced positions along said channel, and valve means reciprocably arranged in said channel and defining a transfer chamber selectively communicating with only one of said ports at a time since movement of said valve means in either direction will cause one of said ports to close before the other is opened so that there is never an uninterrupted passage between said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber.

3. A cigarette lighter comprising a body having a fuel reservoir, a wick chamber separated from said fuel reservoir, a fuel transfer chamber, and a valve means for transferring fuel from said fuel reservoir to said transfer chamber in one position thereof and from said transfer chamber to said wick chamber in a second position thereof, said valve means blocking communication between said transfer chamber and said wick chamber when in said one position and blocking communication between said transfer chamber and said fuel reservoir when in said second position so that a controlled amount of fuel will be dispensed even if there is a pressure differential existing between said fuel reservoir and the surrounding atmosphere since movement of said valve means in either direction between said one position and said second position is such that there is never an uninterrupted passage between said fuelreservoir and said wick chamber.

3. In a cigarette lighter including a body having a fuel reservoir, a wick chamber separated from said fuel reservoir, and a channel located in said body between said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber and opening upon an exterior surface of said body, said wick chamber having a wick therein and a quantity of wick felt for absorbing fuel and feeding it to said wick, a valve actuator reciprocably arranged in said channel and manually operable at the exterior extremity of said channel to allow transfer of fuel from the fuel reservoir to said wick chamber, and return spring means normally urging said valve actuator toward said exterior extremity of said channel, the improvement comprising:

a pair of valve members in said channel shiftable in response to reciprocation of said valve actuator, said valve members being spaced apart within said channel and defining a fuel transfer chamber therebetween, said valve members establishing communication only between said transfer chamber and said wick chamber when said valve actuator is in'its normal position and establishing communication only between said fuel reservoir and said transfer 5 chamber when said valve actuator is in an inwardly pressed position in opposition to said return spring means, said valve members being so related that movement of the valve actuator in either direction will cause one of said members to close before the other is opened, so that there is never an uninterrupted passage between said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber.

4. In a cigarette lighter including a center body section havand fuel reservoir along a lo n itudinal axis that does not intersect said wick chamber, sai channel opening at an exterior surface of said center section, a valve reciprocably arranged in said channel and manually operable at the exterior extremity of said channel to allow transfer of fuel from the fuel reservoir to the wick chamber, spring means associated with said valve for normally maintaining said valve in one position, and sealing means associated with the valve within said channel to provide a positive seal for preventing the escape of fuel from the exterior extremity of said channel, the improvement comprising:

said channel having a first port communicating with said wick chamber and a second port communicating with 0 said reservoir, said valve normally sealing said second port while allowing said first port to be in open communication with said channel, said valve having means for sealing said first port inward movement thereof prior to the opening of said second port so that the fuel dispensed from said reservoir will be entrapped in said channel and upon release of said valve said second port is sealed prior to the opening of said first port for completing transfer of fuel to said wickchamber so that a controlled amount of fuel will be dispensed even if there is a pressure dif' 40 ferential existing between said reservoir and the surrounding atmosphere 5. In a cigarette lighter as defined in claim 4 wherein the exterior end of said channel is of enlarged diameter to present an annular seal face beyond which said second port is located,

4 5 and a seal member carried out by said valve and movable therewith into and out of engagement with said seal face.

6. In a cigarette lighter as defined in claim 5 wherein the intersection of said first port with said channel defines an annular seal face at the inner end of said channel, a resilient seal member normally seated against said seal face at the inner end of said channel, said valve having an inner end portion slidably received in said resilient seal member and a shoulder normally spaced from said resilient seal member.

7. In a cigarette lighter as defined in claim 6 wherein said 5 5 inner end of said valve is tubular, said spring means being seated in said tubular inner end of the valve. 

1. A cigarette lighter comprising a body having a fuel reservoir and a wick chamber separated from said fuel reservoir, and a transfer means indirectly interconnecting said fuel reservoir with said wick chamber and constructed and arranged for dispensing a controlled amount of fuel to said wick chamber regardless of any pressure differential which may exist between said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber, said wick transfer means including a channel in said body having first and second ports communicating with said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber respectively at spaced positions along said channel, and valve means reciprocably arranged in said channel and defining a transfer chamber selectively communicating with only one of said ports at a time since movement of said valve means in either direction will cause one of said ports to close before the other is opened so that there is never an uninterrupted passage between said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber.
 3. A cigarette lighter comprising a body having a fuel reservoir, a wick chamber separated from said fuel reservoir, a fuel transfer chamber, and a valve means for transferring fuel from said fuel reservoir to said transfer chamber in one position thereof and from said transfer chamber to said wick chamber in a second position thereof, said valve means blocking communication between said transfer chamber and said wick chamber when in said one position and blocking communication between said transfer chamber and said fuel reservoir when in said second position so that a controlled amount of fuel will be dispensed even if there is a pressure differential existing between said fuel reservoir and the surrounding atmosphere since movement of said valve means in either direction between said one position and said second position is such that there is never an uninterrupted passage between said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber.
 3. In a cigarette lighter including a body having a fuel reservoir, a wick chamber separated from said fuel reservoir, and a channel located in said body between said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber and opening upon an exterior surface of said body, said wick chamber having a wick therein and a quantity of wick felt for absorbing fuel and feeding it to said wick, a valve actuator reciprocably arranged in said channel and manually operable at the exterior extremity of said channel to allow transfer of fuel from the fuel reservoir to said wick chamber, and return spring means normally urging said valve actuator toward said exterior extremity of said channel, the improvement comprising: a pair of valve members in said channel shiftable in response to reciprocation of said valve actuator, said valve members being spaced apart within said channel and defining a fuel transfer chamber therebetween, said valve members establishing communication only between said transfer chamber and said wick chamber when said valve actuator is in its normal position And establishing communication only between said fuel reservoir and said transfer chamber when said valve actuator is in an inwardly pressed position in opposition to said return spring means, said valve members being so related that movement of the valve actuator in either direction will cause one of said members to close before the other is opened, so that there is never an uninterrupted passage between said fuel reservoir and said wick chamber.
 4. In a cigarette lighter including a center body section having formed therein a wick chamber and containing a wick, a lower body section fixed on said center body section and forming a fuel reservoir, said center section being further formed with a channel arranged between the wick chamber and fuel reservoir along a longitudinal axis that does not intersect said wick chamber, said channel opening at an exterior surface of said center section, a valve reciprocably arranged in said channel and manually operable at the exterior extremity of said channel to allow transfer of fuel from the fuel reservoir to the wick chamber, spring means associated with said valve for normally maintaining said valve in one position, and sealing means associated with the valve within said channel to provide a positive seal for preventing the escape of fuel from the exterior extremity of said channel, the improvement comprising: said channel having a first port communicating with said wick chamber and a second port communicating with said reservoir, said valve normally sealing said second port while allowing said first port to be in open communication with said channel, said valve having means for sealing said first port inward movement thereof prior to the opening of said second port so that the fuel dispensed from said reservoir will be entrapped in said channel and upon release of said valve said second port is sealed prior to the opening of said first port for completing transfer of fuel to said wick chamber so that a controlled amount of fuel will be dispensed even if there is a pressure differential existing between said reservoir and the surrounding atmosphere
 5. In a cigarette lighter as defined in claim 4 wherein the exterior end of said channel is of enlarged diameter to present an annular seal face beyond which said second port is located, and a seal member carried out by said valve and movable therewith into and out of engagement with said seal face.
 6. In a cigarette lighter as defined in claim 5 wherein the intersection of said first port with said channel defines an annular seal face at the inner end of said channel, a resilient seal member normally seated against said seal face at the inner end of said channel, said valve having an inner end portion slidably received in said resilient seal member and a shoulder normally spaced from said resilient seal member.
 7. In a cigarette lighter as defined in claim 6 wherein said inner end of said valve is tubular, said spring means being seated in said tubular inner end of the valve. 